Windows 7 Programming using Win XP Mode & Win Virutal PC

[Dorf411]

Has anyone had any experience using Windows 7 32bit PC's to program Motorola radios in Win XP Mode & Windows Virtual PC? We are planning to update some of our pc's and I would like to move on to Windows 7 but I am concerned that by doing that I may lose the ability to program some of the radios needed. I would be concerned about all versions of Motorola CPS that normally operate on a Windows XP machine such as APX, Astro 25, Astro, Professional, Entry Level Pro, CPS, and many more including the older programs. The PC's to be updated are desktop PC's and all would have true RS232 serial ports for the radios that normally use serial connection.

The other option would be to dual boot the machine but that gets old always going back and forth between operating systems.

Anyone have any good or bad stories to tell?

Thanks

[tvsjr]

I have successfully programmed and flashed ASTRO-family radios on a Dell Latitude E6510, running Windows 7 Ultimate x64, using the E-Legacy Extender (real serial port) or an IOGear USB-serial adapter, inside the Windows XP Mode VM.

You have to start the XP VM directly (don't use the integrated mode) so you can attach the serial port/USB device.

To be even more weird, I've actually programmed analog Spectras using Dosbox inside the XP VM running on 7.

[Winger2002]

Not an issue at all, since your using 32 bit machines its easy, just use xp mode for any software that gives you issues, but dont just run it in compatibility mode, make sure you install it using that also. I have been very successful using a dell d630. You will be amazed how fast the USB moto drivers load.

I also have a bootable usb stick with dos on it for the ancient crap.

[HLA]

i still say keep it simple and just keep an older machine around with a real serial port running xp or me. keeping an old machine around is cheaper than replacing a radio

[ard099]

I've been able to use just about all of Motorola's windows based CPS on Windows 7 professional 32 bit, even without the XP mode program, with the exception of the PM1200. I am in the process of upgrading also, and my plans are to upgrade to 7 professional 32 bit.

[Dorf411]

Thanks for the great feedback.

[Dorf411]

You have to start the XP VM directly (don't use the integrated mode) so you can attach the serial port/USB device.

How do you start XP VM directly? I loaded the Windows XP mode and windows virtual pc on my computer but it sounds like you are doing something different.

[tvsjr]

You have to start the XP VM directly (don't use the integrated mode) so you can attach the serial port/USB device.

How do you start XP VM directly? I loaded the Windows XP mode and windows virtual pc on my computer but it sounds like you are doing something different.

Open Virtual PC and start the XP Mode VM, rather than choosing an XP Mode app from the Win7 start menu and allowing it to run in integration mode.